Breast cancer risk increases with age. The majority of breast cancers are found in women aged 50 and over. Breast cancer can occur in younger women but it’s less common.
For every 100 people diagnosed with breast cancer
| 5 people will be aged under 40 | |
| 15 people will be aged 40 to 49 | |
| 80 people will be aged 50 or over |
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Women under 40
We don’t offer breast screening for women under 40.
Breasts are usually denser before you’re 40, which makes it harder to see breast cancer on a screening mammogram. This is because both dense breast tissue and breast cancers can appear white on a mammogram.
Research has found that breast screening doesn’t reduce deaths from breast cancer in women under 40.
Women aged 40 to 49
Women aged 40 to 49 are eligible for screening mammograms with BreastScreen Queensland. Please talk to talk to your doctor first to find out if breast screening is right for you.
There are different risks and benefits of breast screening for women in this age group. Women in this age group are more likely to have dense breasts. It can be harder to see breast cancer on a screening mammogram if you have dense breasts. This is because both dense breast tissue and breast cancers can appear white on a mammogram.
Women aged 50 to 74
If you’re aged 50 to 74, you should have a breast screen every 2 years.
The risk of breast cancer increases greatly after the age of 50. About 80% of breast cancers occur in women who are 50 and over.
If you haven't screened with us before, we'll send you an invitation to start screening around the time of your 50th birthday. We'll then remind you to screen every 2 years after that.
Research has found that regular breast screening of women aged 50 to 74 is effective in finding breast cancers and reducing deaths from breast cancer.
Women 75 and over
Women aged 75 years and over are eligible for screening mammograms with BreastScreen Queensland. We won’t send you an invitation or reminders to screen. You’ll need to contact us to make an appointment.
There are different risks and benefits of breast screening for women who are 75 and over. If you’re in this age group, please talk to your doctor first to find out if breast screening is right for you.
Last updated: July 2026